Christmas spirit has once again returned to the White House, and the entire Bartlet family comes together for the annual White House tree-lighting ceremony. But everyone’s spirits soon fall when Bartlet learns that Christian relief workers have been imprisoned in Islamic northern Sudan. Later, Bartlet is surprised when his son-in-law informs him of his Congressional ambitions. Elsewhere, Toby tries to keep the administration out of a controversial debate when the licenses of some Oregon are suspended after they order drugs in an assisted suicide.